Sunday, 25 October 2015

As Shiv Sena continues to threaten Pakistani talent, one Pakistani film takes a daring jump and crosses the border to mesmerise Indian audiences.

After creating waves at the 20th Busan International Film Festival and being selected by the Pakistani Academy Selection Committee to be considered for the Oscars, Moor is gearing up for its screening at the Goa Film Festival.

Co-producer of the film’s international version, Hasan Zaidi, confirmed the news to The Express Tribune. However, it is yet to be seen if the film will also be commercially released in India. “We are working on distribution,” Zaidi said.

The film is also expected to have a premiere in the UAE soon:

Directed by Jami, Moor depicts the decline of Balochistan’s railway system, and the characters behind it. It was released across the country on August 14, 2015.

Shortly after, the Pakistani Academy Selection Committee selected Moor to be submitted for Oscar consideration in the ‘Foreign Language Film Award’ category.

This was followed by three shows at the 20th Busan International Film Festival which ended with echoes of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ as the film managed to impress the international audience.

Here’s to more success for Moor and Pakistani cinema!

Thursday, 22 October 2015

KARACHI: Before Pakistani cinema restablished its footing in 2013, a handful of directors were continually trying their best to breathe some life into the dying film industry. One of the few who managed to provide oxygen, albeit for brief periods, was veteran actor Javed Sheikh.

Almost eight years after his last directorial ventureKhulay Aasman ke Neecheand having racked up a considerable acting portfolio both home and abroad, Sheikh is all set to return to the director’s chair with his latest production,Wujood.

Currently the film is in its pre-production phase with the paper work being finalised before it finally hits the floor in March 2016. Wanting to keep the plot and other details regarding the crew of the film a secret, the director toldThe Express Tribunethat, “The scripting is being done by a top female drama writer.”

The movie would see Sheikh involved in multiple capacities as he would be juggling between his responsibilities as an actor, producer and director. While his previous outings as director, such asYeh Dil Aap Ka Huwawere romantic-dramas, he described his latest film as a “violent love story”. When asked to elaborate on whether the movie is more along the lines of comedy or action he replied, “That you will have to wait and see.”

With filming for the movie expected to begin in March 2016, Sheikh added that, like his previous two films that were shot in exotic places in Europe and Australia, he would be ‘introducing’ Pakistani audiences to yet another beautiful foreign location inWujood. Although the cast for the movie is yet to be finalised, he already has a tentative release date in mind. “I am aiming to release the film sometime in September-October 2016.”

Of late the actor has made a string of appearances in notable Pakistani films includingNa Maloom Afraad,Wrong No.,Jawani Phir Nahi Ani,Bin Roye,Karachi Se Lahoreand will soon be seen in the Imtiaz Ali-directed Bollywood filmTamashaalongside Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone

Tuesday, 20 October 2015

KARACHI: The last time Saeed Rizvi was making films, the Pakistani film industry was stuck in the celluloid (analog) format. Fast forward a few years and the industry has finally embraced the digital age, causing the veteran director, mostly remembered for introducing sci-fi to Pakistani films, to return to the cinematic fold.

Speaking toThe Express Tribune, Rizvi who has previously helmedSarkata InsanandShaanisaid that he would be making a formal announcement of his yet-to-be-titled film post-Moharram, but gave away a few details about the nature of his next project.

“It is going to be a film in the vein of Hollywood blockbusters and will revolve around an alien invasion in the country,” Rizvi toldThe Express Tribune.

Currently in the pre-production phase, the director has already started making storyboards for his film which would also incorporate a lot of visual effects. “Unlike the current spate of films the movie will have a lot of CGI, which I intend to get done from the United States. Apart from that it will also be using Dolby Digital 7.1 surround sound.”

Set to be Rizvi’s first film in over a decade, the director explained that he has spent the last couple of months honing his craft in New York and Los Angeles to ensure that he was not too out of sync with the modern standards of filmmaking.

Having shot all his films on the analog format, the transition into using the Arriflex camera has been a surprisingly smooth process for the seasoned filmmaker. “Shooting on digital is easier but then lighting becomes a little complex. Similarly, inserting CGI in digital is easier than adding it to analog but at the same time, it is more expensive.”

According to Rizvi the movie is expected to go on floors “early next year” and he will be finalising the cast and crew once all the necessary paperwork is complete. “The real cast in my films is always the CGI and visual effects. They provide the novelty factor and make the film memorable for audiences of films likeShaaniandSarkata Insan.”

The movie is going to be shot on a Red Epic Dragon camera.

Monday, 19 October 2015

Yet another Eidul Azha passed by and Lahore’s theatres remained packed with local films made by ‘Karachi’s filmmakers’. Seems almost all filmmakers of Lahore have already exhausted their war chests and are left with nothing to spare for a tent-pole project that will somehow act as life-support for the city’s dying cinematic milieu.

With the push coming to shove, the desolation has compelled filmmakers to join heads and institutionalise their individual aspirations. A new entity called Producers’ Alliance Company (PAC) has come to the fore, with film producer Amjad Farzand Ali elected as chairman. The producers have this time not shied away from having distributors on board since Film Distributors Association Chairman Chaudhary Ejaz Kamran has been chosen as the company’s secretary.

Kamran feels working in isolation is actually counter-productive in times like these. “If only a single producer injects money in a film and the project falls on its face, the producer will be finished. Hence we decided to set up this platform,” he tellsThe Express Tribune. He disclosed that their first projectBlind Loveis already complete and has been made possible with help from the entire fraternity. “We wish to continue on the same path.” He says films will be marketed under the company’s flagship banner and a dedicated team will ensure that the film is promoted to the last extent.

The plan is simple — churn out a minimum of seven super hits this year. Money will seemingly no more be a problem since all PAC members will pitch in and modern technology will be employed for the task. Young film enthusiasts and students will be given a chance to develop scripts and the company will soon be registered with competent authorities. PAC office-bearers intend to extend a hand to Karachi’s filmmaking fraternity to hop in and be part of what is being considered as a watershed development for Pakistani cinema. “We will soon approach cinema owners and request them to be a part of PAC so that issues between the different sections of the industry can be resolved mutually,” says a senior member of the company.

The industry’s mantle shifting from Lahore to Karachi in recent years has helped filmmakers from Pakistan’s largest metropolis rise in prominence. Meanwhile Lahore is still in troubled waters and this is the foremost reason why its producers and directors were forced to act. Prominent names like Shaan Shahid, Sayed Noor, Shahzad Rafique, Faisal Bukhari, Haji Zulfqar Ali Mana, Pervaiz Kalim, Qaiser Sanaullah and directors including Pervaiz Rana, Javed Butt, Masood Butt, Iqbal Kashmiri, Shaan Mustafa, Altaf Hussain and Masood Butt are all up for the company. They have all decided to collaborate and work on projects will begin real soon.

Rana is particularly irked by Lahore’s crises. “Unity is a need of the hour and I feel that PAC will play a key role in this regard,” he says, adding, contrary to the general sentiments, films are being produced. It’s just that most are currently in development hell and no producer was able to come up with a finished product before the extended weekend of Eid, he adds. “We will make seven new films this year and they will be screened world over.”

Sunday, 18 October 2015

According toMid-day, the actor will travel to Dubai next week to meet Mansoor for a formal script narration and to sign the contract for his next film.

The industry was abuzz with rumours about the collaboration since some time but now it’s official as Kareena’s spokesperson has confirmed the news.

A few months ago, Mansoor had e-mailed his concept to Kareena, saying that she will have a powerful role in the film. She liked the idea but wanted to read the script before giving her nod to the film. She will be the first A-list actress to work in a Pakistani project,” a source toldMid-day.

“Although Kareena has verbally accepted the offer, she wants to hear the script. After that, she will sign the deal. For a while now, she has been keeping an eye out for projects that will allow her to push the envelope and [she] believes that Mansoor’s story is one of them,” the source added.

Earlier, it was reported that Kareena is a huge fan of Mansoor and had said, “I really want to work with him. He has made some fantastic content driven films and is a wonderful filmmaker.”

Her wish did not go unanswered because as soon as the Pakistani director heard about this, he flew to India to offer Bebo a role in his next film, reported Mumbai Mirror

It was also declared that Kareena, who typically stays away from social networks, will join Twitter for a day to announce the collaboration at the end of this month.

According to the source, “She also plans to connect with her fans online. But, she will be off social networking after that.”

Kareena is currently shooting for her upcoming filmKi and Kawith Arjun Kapoor, but she has taken a break and will be staying in Dubai for two days to finalise the deal.

We hear that Shoaib Mansoor’s next is a heroine-eccentric film which will take off next year. Well, this is one collaboration that will definitely set the box office on fire.

Saturday, 17 October 2015

Jawani Phir Nahi Ani has breached worldwide record as film has collected close to 35.25cr approx Worldwide by end of third Week.. As per estimates film has collected around 28.5cr approx in three Weeks and will be reaching 30cr benchmark this Weekend becoming first film ever in Pakistan to collect over 30cr approx mark..

From Overseas film has added close to 7cr approx which is a very good total but still falls way short of Bin Roye which had collected 19.8cr approx from Overseas.. But it's domestic market where film stands a top and way ahead of Bin Roye.. Below is territory wise figures of Jawani Phir Nahi Ani with figures of Bin Roye in Brackets..

Pakistan.. 28.5cr (10.9cr)

UK.. 2.5cr (8.75cr)

USA.. 2.5cr (2.4cr)

UAE.. 1.75cr (7.35cr)

Australia.. - (50lacs)

India.. - (25lacs)

Total.. 35.25cr (30.15cr)

Film is still solid and will easily go over 40cr mark Worldwide creating a new benchmark.. Below are top 5 Pakistani grosser Worldwide..

Jawani Phir Nahi Ani (2015, ARY Films).. 35.25cr

Waar (2013, ARY Films).. 34.65cr

Bin Roye (2015, Eveready Pictures).. 30.15cr

Chooriyan (1998).. 20cr

Bol (2011, GEO Films).. 16.8cr

These figures are not adjusted for ticket prices inflation.. In terms of US Dollars Chooriyan still stands number One whereas Jawani Phir Nahi Is number two and will need uphill task to reach Chooriyan..

*Figures Of Jawani Phir Nahi Ani Are Estimates and Official Figures Will Be Updated Soon

Thursday, 15 October 2015

KARACHI: Aiming for a release in the first quarter of 2016, Reham Khan’sJanaanseems to be well on its course to meet the set target. As the film completes its first two spells of production, the producers are now hopeful to release the movie by early next year.

“Almost 65 per cent of the movie has been completed during the first two spells that took place in Swat and Islamabad,” the film’s co-producer Imran Raza Kazmi toldThe Express Tribune. “We’re more than confident that we’ll wind up the film during the third spell, which is expected to begin in January 2016,” he added.

With a big slice of filming out of the way, Imran shared the team only needs to film a few songs and sequences. Having already announced that the final leg of shooting will take place in Swat and Islamabad this winter, he was wary about how it would be difficult to film a movie in Northern areas in the season.

“We’ve worked out all the logistics and have prepared a contingency plan in case we’re unable to film in Swat. Nathia Galli, Abbotabad, Thandyani and Kalabagh are being assessed as alternatives if Swat is inaccessible,” he shared. Editing for the movie is slated to commence in the next few days and the production team is already looking for potential editors to helm the responsibility.

“We’re in talks with a few post-production houses from Pakistan, India and Dubai to start work onJanaan.” Imran also revealed that the music and background score for the film have been composed by well-known collaborator Ahmed Ali, who also worked on the score for his previous productionSiyaah.

Produced by Imran and Reham,Janaanfeatures an ensemble cast of emerging actors, including Bilal Ashraf, Armeena Rana Khan and Ali Rehman Khan, with TV actor Osman Khalid Butt as the screenwriter. The movie narrates the story of three brothers, who are based in Pakistan and overseas. It focuses on their children as they gather for a family wedding in the Northern areas of Pakistan.

Wednesday, 14 October 2015

KARACHI: If emotions weren’t already running high in anticipation of Mahira-starrerHo Mann Jahaan, the film’s official trailer release just added to the growing excitement.

The movie’s trailer was unveiled at a star-studded event in Karachi on Monday where the lead cast — Mahira Khan, Adeel Husain, Sheheryar Munawar — won the audiences over.

“It’s a movie about the youth; their love, happiness, sadness, problems, celebrations, but at the same time their stories are connected to those of their parents. Yes, it’s a film for the youth, but anyone who is connected to ‘youth’, it’s also their story,”Ho Mann Jahaandirector Asim Raza said.

The two-and-a-half-minute clip shows the bitter-sweet side of life; from the fun-filled days in college to the harsh realities of real life. It gives a glimpse into the relationship dynamics the trio share and the struggle to break free from stereotypes associated with a music career.

“Both actors [Adeel and Sheheryar] are very different, from different schools of thoughts. I would have to tune myself when working with each — with Adeel I’d have to be serious, with Sheheryar it was the complete opposite,” said Mahira when asked which of her two male co-stars she enjoyed working with more.

The makers of the film also shared BTS footage at the event which led to a rather pleasant revelation: the handsome Fawad Khan will be seen in a cameo inHo Mann Jahaan.

Asim Raza’s debut venture is definitely one to look out for, the trailer is promising and keeps the viewer hooked. The cast includes veteran actors such as Bushra Ansari, Sonya Jehan, Nimra Bucha and Arshad Mehmud.

Sunday, 11 October 2015

When Vittorio De Sica was on with his 1948 magnum opus,The Bicycle Thieves, cash wasn’t the only resource the iconic filmmaker was strapped for. Yet when it hit the screens, the rather spectacled Satyajit Ray walked out of the theatre with only one thing on his mind, a career in filmmaking. Such indeed is the power of realist storytelling.

A similar spectacled feeling has been invoked by the first look of the film,Quetta — A City of Forgotten Dreamssurfaced on social media. The film poster features a boy pedaling a bicycle on a street that cuts through a graveyard, under the watchful eye of the mountains. Filmmakers Faysal Chaudary and Murtaza Chaudary offer a sneak peek into their project toThe Express Tribune, spilling the beans on yet another feather in the newly-acquired hat of contemporary Pakistani cinema.

Apart from its picturesque distinctiveness that is eulogised every now and then in the mainstream, Quetta is largely seen as a space devoid of humans, a mechanical lynchpin between the dehumanised and revolting south and the indifferent rest of Pakistan. Yet, the city is very much at the heart of the Pakistani collective conscience. More than once in the recent past did the city roar in agony of harrowing terror attacks and we saw tremors being felt across Pakistan.

The film hints at exactly that: putting up a fight against adversity. The squad that reinvented satire for TV in Pakistan has been on the project for two years. “We carried out reconnaissance in the city’s neighbourhoods and handpicked our actors,” says Murtaza. Drenched fully in the neorealist cinematic order,Quetta’sstoryline is shouldered by non-actors: those who have lived and breathed the characters they are essaying. “Their grit is quite unbelievable,” the director concludes after narrating how a twist of fate enmeshed the screen and real lives of one of his lead actors. “The boy had to flee the country in wake of threats from militants. Last we heard from him, he was in a self-imposed exile in Switzerland.”

While its 25-day principal photography ended well before work on Jami’sMoorkicked off, the film is yet another insight on the Balochistan whose pulse is still racing. Penned by Faysal, Quetta’s story revolves around three children who juggle between career prospects as diverse as coalmining and football, to keep both their inner flame and the stove burning.

Over the years, misery has become the currency of our media. Victimhood sells and the line between exploitation and honest narration is indeed very thin. Murtaza says this is the primary reason why his team opted against all established practices of our film scene. “Quettadoes not entail any commercial elements. It’s a story that we owed to the hilly streets on which we used to pace our tricycles.” While the background score has been pieced together with care,Quettais not accompanied by a song album as yet.

“MoorandShahwere acid tests for these kinds of narratives and the success of both helped us muster up strength to releaseQuetta,” adds Faysal. He believes that if a heartfelt story if told the right way, it strikes the right chord with the masses, come what may. Brimming with confidence, both Murtaza and Faysal disclose the film is slated for a 2016 release. The Filmsaaz and Sana Bucha Productions film is currently undergoing post-production.

Friday, 9 October 2015

“If it actually gets to the place where you can’t show 35mm film in theatres anymore and everything is digital projection, I won’t even make it to 60.” This was once said by film director Quentin Tarantino at aHollywood Reporterdiscussion.

While the brains behind classics such asPulp FictionandReservoir Dogsmay have started to contemplate his final exit, what proponents of film such as him fear the most has already begun in Lahore — the crumbling of the old world.

After 56 years of operation, the film lab at Evernew Studio has been padlocked and, with the lab’s closure, an entire era of Pakistani cinema has come to an end. For years, the studio belted out classics that redefined Pakistani popular culture, such as Maula Jutt,Heer RanjhaandNagina. With the introduction of digital techniques, the older film processing technology has been rendered useless; forcing the studio administration to call it quits.

The mushrooming of film labs in the city ran parallel to the setting up of hi-end film studios in Lahore at a time when Lollywood was still a legit term to use. There was a time when film technicians walked in and out of Royal Park near Lakshmi Chowk all day long. The bastion of film development in the city was helped by others at Shah Noor Studio, Bari Studio, Shadab Studio and Evernew itself.

For the last 15 years, this lab was housed in a small room at the studio that was always the first option for any filmmaker, thanks to its advanced machinery. While others in the city succumbed to Lollywood’s crises one after another, the lab at Evernew stood firm against the onslaught of the digital age up until two weeks ago. After much deliberation with the Film Directors Association, its administration wrote to film producers and directors, asking them to collect their inventory from the lab before it shuts down for good.

“The lab’s last film,Razia Phans Gai Gundon Main, was edited on the eve of Eidul Fitr this year,” shares Malik Yousaf, an official at Evernew Studio. Yousaf explains how the studio was finding it difficult to procure film negatives from abroad. “With the advancement in film technology everywhere, it has become impossible to continue with the old,” he adds. Yousaf admits non-availability of negatives is not the only concern. “There is literally no business these days. All our expensive machinery is now useless.”

Ali Jan is a former supervisor at Evernew. Talking toThe Express Tribune, he recollects, “I am a witness to the development of super hit films behind these walls.” He says the lab was trusted by renowned filmmakers of their time like Riaz Shahid, Jamshaid Rizvi, Younas Malik, Riaz Gujjar, Azhar Niaz, Hasan Askari, Aslam Dar and many others. Jan said renowned film editor Z A Zulfi used to carry out manual cutting and pasting of film at the very lab. “As time passed by, the lab lost its charm and its people.”

Director Pervaiz Rana feels the import of Indian content sparked the onset of the problem. “If you continue to import foreign content, where will local technicians and other menial film workers go?” He however maintains the crumbling of old film labs does not translate into the crumbling of Pakistani cinema itself. “Now that the situation has changed completely and local filmmakers are also using advanced equipment, there remains no need of film negative developing labs.”

Film broke Week One record with around 13-14% margin but Week Two record is broken by some huge distance of over 20% which is superb.. Film's 2nd Week's numbers were better than first Week (first 7 days) of any film ever released in Pakistan other than Furious 7 and Dhoom 3..

3rd Friday is off to super start and trends are looking positive with most metros sure to go houseful in evening and night shows taking film over 23cr mark.. Film will take it's numbers over 23.5cr approx by end of today which will be highest number for any Urdu release ever leaving behind 23cr mark of Waar.. Waar had done that business back in 2013..

Film will also overtake P.K. and Bajrangi Bhaijaan today becoming 3rd biggest grosser ever in the circuit after Furious 7 and Dhoom 3.. Film will cross both on Sunday becoming highest grosser ever for any release in Pakistan and the pace at which film is going it will easily end it's run over 30cr but how much can not be said as film will continue it's steady run in Muharram also unless Mah-e-Meer hits theaters..

As the official of Jawani Phir Nahi Ani has fell in they have come a little more than estimates given by our team y'day.. Film has collected little over 21cr approx in 12 Days with around 7cr approx contribution from 2nd Week and film is looking to finish 2nd Week close to 22.75cr approx.. Film is heading towards lifetime record by coming Saturday or Sunday..

Film has done amazing business even in 2nd Week and fall in 2nd Weekend has come in region of less than 30% and film is looking to register biggest 2nd Week of All Time.. Film's numbers are astonishing with houseful at big metros even on the Weekdays in it's 2nd Week.. After record Week One 2nd Week was sure to fall but film has seen nominal fall and now film is sure to have 30+cr lifetime finish which will be new lifetime record with some distance.. Film's 2nd Week is better than any film's first Week ever apart from Furious 7 and Dhoom 3..

Below is official breakdown of the film..

Week One.. 14cr

2nd Weekend.. 5cr

2nd Monday.. 1.1cr

2nd Tuesday.. 95lacs

Total.. 21.05cr

Film is will become biggest Urdu grosser ever in terms of crore at domestic market on coming Friday overtaking Waar which was also released under same banner..

Wednesday, 7 October 2015

Jawani Phir Nahi Ani continues super run at boxoffice.. Film has collected over 25cr approx in 12 Days becoming fastest 25cr grosser ever for any Urdu film worldwide.. At domestic market Jawani Phir Nahi Ani has collected little over 20cr approx in 12 days which is fastest 20cr grosser ever for any film released in Pakistan till date.

Film is already 6th highest grosser of All Time In Pakistan and is heading towards lifetime recrod by end of next Weekend.. Film had super record breaking Weekend and then mammoth Monday but film came down heavily on Tuesday and rest of Weekdays.. Film again jumped in 2nd Weekend but missed out 2nd Weekend record.. Film is going very strong on 2nd Week weekdays at big metros but masses are down to mere 30-40% occupancies where as big metros are still around 90%.

At worldwide market film is 4th biggest ever with numbers going around 2.5m $ just behind Chooriyan, Waar an Bin Roye.. From Overseas film is slow and will not be reaching big film like Bin Roye which had made stupendous 19cr from Overseas.

Tuesday, 6 October 2015

KARACHI: Now less than two months away, December is already shaping up to be a crowded month for Pakistani cinema. With films, such asStar Wars: Episode II — The Force Awakens,Bajirao MastaniandDilwale, slated to release this winter, a local movie is now also expected to join this already crammed list.

The team behind the epic film,Yalghaar, is now aiming for a nationwide release by December-end. “We are targeting a December 25 release in Pakistani cinemas and are hopeful of winding up post-production ofYalghaarby mid-November,” director Hassan Waqas Rana tellsThe Express Tribune.

From its action-packed trailer to its multi-starrer cast, the movie has generated excitement prior to its release. The team has managed to sell around 528 shows even before the release of the film. DespiteYalghaarbeing released alongside expected box office behemoths, Rana is confident his film will hold its own.

The post-production of the film, which features a mix of live-action stunts and computer generated images, is being done at renowned British company Pinewood Studios, which has previously served as the production base for movie series, such asHarry Potter,James BondandSuperman.

Should the release ofYalghaargo ahead as planned, it’s likely to go head-to-head with another Pakistani film,Ho Mann Jahaan. According to an official at ARY Films, the Azim Raza musical is expected to release in the first half of January next year, soon after the release ofYalghaar.

Yalghaarhas an ensemble cast featuring Humayun Saeed, Shaan Shahid, Adnan Siddiqui, Umair Jaswal, Ayesha Omar, Uzma Khan and Ayub Khosa. It has been produced by the team behind the 2013-runaway hitWaar. On the other hand,Ho Mann Jahaanstars Adeel Hussain, Mahira Khan and Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui in lead roles.

Monday, 5 October 2015

Fresh offNa Maloom Afraad’s (NMA) clean sweep at the Lux Style Awards (LSA), with prizes bagged in four out of the five categories they were nominated in, director Nabeel Qureshi couldn’t have chosen a better time to announce when his next project will hit the floors. He revealed that the team will begin filming their second movie in January next year.

“We’ll hopefully begin filming from January 2016 and are currently in the process of finalising a few details,” said Qureshi.

Without divulging much about the movie and the cast, he shared that it’s unlikely to feature exactly the same cast asNMA’s, as it’s not a sequel. “There might be one or two actors [fromNMA] that we’ll work with again. Our industry is small at present, so we really don’t have too many actors to choose from,” he added.

Although the cast will see changes, the core crew of the upcoming film is expected to remain the same, with trusted cinematographer Rana Kamran taking over the reins as DP once again. “We were among the first films to use the Arri Alexa camera when we started filmingNMAand for this movie, we’d be the first production team to use the Alexa mini,” stated the young filmmaker.

Qureshi revealed that the yet-untitled film will be a social drama and satire, different from their previous film. The writing duo Qureshi and Fizza Ali Meerza are still in the process of finalising the story for the movie. Unlike their last film, which was shot entirely in Karachi, their next project is expected to be shot in other parts of the country as well. “We won’t be travelling overseas to film the movie but might shoot in other cities of Pakistan.”

Still reeling from their glorious stint at the LSAs, the director shared he has been unable to contain his excitement over his team’s victory. “It feels really nice to win an award and we were confident about winning a few. Unfortunately, the LSAs are the only film-related award show that takes place in the country as the ARY Film Awards will not take place this year as well. We were looking forward to competing in them.”

Qureshi will be visiting Harvard University in mid-October to deliver a talk onNMA. In an earlier interview withThe Express Tribune, he had shared, “We’ve been asked to come and discuss our film with the audience at the festival and also speak about the growing Pakistani cinema in general.” The movie, which was released a year ago on Eidul Azha, minted Rs140 million upon the completion of its 25-week run.

The director-producer duo of Qureshi and Meerza have already stated that they’ll make a sequel toNMAfollowing the completion of their film. A formal announcement about their upcoming project is expected to be made later this month.

Saturday, 3 October 2015

Friday, 2 October 2015

KARACHI: Sangeeta Begum is among the few film veterans willing to embrace the new wave of Pakistani cinema and evolve with changing times. Clad in white, she organised a press meet Thursday evening to divulge details of her upcoming filmTum Hei Tou Ho, slated for release on Eidul Fitr next year. With the cast and crew fashionably late, the event began an hour-and-a-half after its scheduled time.

When the starlets such as Danish Taimoor finally arrived, Sangeeta got right down to revealing that she’ll serve as director, producer and artist in the film. “The movie is a love story and 70 per cent of its shooting will take place in Karachi, Lahore and Murree,” she shared. “It’ll be shot at actual locations and not in studios. Also, we have a massive budget for the project. The budget is one thing I won’t compromise on,” she stated.

Sangeeta said the film revolves around the lives of college-going students, who encounter the twists and turns of fate. The director, who began shootingTum Hei Tou Hoon September 29, said the cast will feature Danish and Quratulain in lead roles. In addition, newbie Maryam will sizzle in an item song part of the movie. Also present at the occasion was the film’s writer Sooraj Baba and choreographer Pappu Samrat. Without disclosing much about the songs and who all will lend vocals to them, Sangeeta said the singers will mostly be industry novices except music maestro Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

Although she herself claimed she belongs to the good ol’ Lollywood days, she said her upcoming film is being made using modern technology. “We must confess that we were lagging behind in terms of technological advancement. But now, we’ve embraced the digital age,” she noted.

On working with the veteran filmmaker, Danish said, “I’m blessed to be a part of Sangeetaapa’s venture. It’s my first film with her and I play one of the lead actors in the film.” For Quratulain, this is her second movie stint, with the first being Ali Mohiuddin’sSawal 700 Crore Ka. Expressing her excitement over the project, she said, “I’m thrilled to be a part of the film and working with a senior director, such as Sangeetaapa. I’m certain that I’ll learn a lot from her.”